VENTURE CAPITAL POST

SPIE, a French engineering group that makes facilities more energy-efficient, is reportedly mulling over an initial public offering in late 2014. SPIE's shareholders, private equity firms Ardian, Clayton Dubilier & Rice and Quebec's pension fund Cassie, will likely decide on the listing in the first quarter.

Private equity firms Blackstone Group, CCMP Capital and Investcorp are the only remaining bidders for a minority stake in Italian fashion house Versace. Versace seeks to exit a 20% stake in the first quarter of next year.

Italy's state backed Fondo Strategico Italiano (FSI) and private equity firm CCMP Capital are leading the race to secure a minority stake in Italian luxury goods group Versace.

European private equity group 21 Partners agreed to purchase French pharmaceutical manufacturing company Synerlab from premium independent private investment firm Ardian for an undisclosed amount.

Investment firms Ardian and Consilium SGR exited Rollon Group to Chequers Capital and IGI SGR for an undisclosed amount. Rollon is a maker of linear rails and actuators based in Italy.

Private equity firm Ardian acquired stakes in buyout funds amounting to USD 4.3 billion, proving that the secondary market is alive and well.

Ardian is the new entity formed when AXA Private Equity spun off from AXA Group.